Happy Thanksgiving From LoTempio Law!
Extending our appreciation to our intellectual property clients this Thanksgiving season and always. In honor of Thanksgiving, our team at LoTempio Law has come up with a list of 3 inventions that we are grateful for this Thanksgiving. In no particular order, and among many other inventions out there, here are some inventions and inventors that bring family and friends together and, for that, we give thanks:
1. Cell Phones
As we gather with our families and friends over the holidays, we think back to the times over the years when cell phones have kept us connected despite our distance. Through the modern cell phone, we can facetime, search the web, send directions, share gifs, record videos, take pictures, watch movies, and play games with those we hope to stay connected to. Many people are unfamiliar with the inventor of the cell phone¬a man by the name of Martin Cooper and his team at Motorola. Martin Cooper is an American inventor born in 1928 who, according to an interview with CNN, prefers Android phones to iPhones. His wife, Arlene Harris, invented the Jitterbug, a cell phone for seniors.
2. Airplanes
An invention that physically brings families and friends together this holiday season is the invention of airplanes. While the Wright Brothers have long been credited with inventing the airplane, some believe that the true inventor may be New Zealand Inventor Richard Pearse or Brazilian Inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont. A recent article by Melissa Locker, 11 Crazy Things You Never Knew About Planes, provides an overview of what most people do not know about the invention of the airplanes.
3. Parade Balloons
For over 90 years, families have gathered around the television to watch the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. For each balloon paraded through the streets of New York, there is at least one patented invention or trademark being used in the parade that makes the parade possible. From the patented balloon clip hanger (Publication No. US2931133A) to the federally registered trademark “MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE” (Registration No. 2206890), we at LoTempio Law are not only excited to watch the parade but also grateful for the intellectually property that protects this Thanksgiving tradition. A quick scan of this year’s Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Line-Up and you will see either the federally registered trademark symbol (®) or the trademark symbol (™) accompanying each balloon title. The registered trademark symbol means that the mark has been officially registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The TM is used on trademarks that are not yet registered with the USPTO but provides notice to potential infringers of the mark that, although not registered, the mark is viewed as a trademark, and will be defended against any potential infringers.
Are there any inventions or inventors that you give thanks for? Tweet them to @LoTempio.
